Shame on Our Leaders (8/9/11)

When we do something we shouldn't – or fail to do something we should – it's almost automatic to feel bad about ourselves. And when our bad behavior becomes public, the remorse usually gets a lot worse.

So how do we explain our U.S. leaders who have taken their mandate to lead and cynically twisted it into their own personal mission of political gain at any cost?

Do they feel at all guilty about accepting paychecks for a job they've not just failed to do, but refused to do? Are they embarrassed when they congratulate themselves for some imaginary accomplishment, while their very real incompetence and hypocrisy drags us even further onto financial thin ice? Do they think they bear any responsibility for the real pain caused to millions by their selfish refusal to negotiate or compromise?

Sadly, it appears the answer to all these questions is no. The petty game of politics has eliminated the concept of statesmanship, and left us with nothing but of bunch of shrill dogmatists who substitute noise for reason and empty platitudes for public service, and hope no one's bright enough to notice.

So it's important that we do notice. Because America's in rough waters right now, and only we can force the people steering the ship to do the job they were hired to do.